Things to Hide When Listing a Home.
People aren’t going to like this but it’s true! In order to do the BEST job for our sellers, we need to get it looking like a model home (or as close as we can). We also need to take both their safety and fair housing laws seriously. Here’s things we change and how:
1. Absolutely ANYTHING with their children’s photos, name, or initials. There are some scary people in the world, and the photos taken of your home will be on the internet. Having your child’s name and location broadcasted on the internet is never a good idea. It’s also just good practice to remove any family photos as it helps visitors imagine the space as their home while they’re walking through.
2. Clutter - I go through my homes with my seller and make an itemized list of what needs to go. Especially when a home is occupied, this can be tough. Utilize the garage (but don’t block access to the water heater or HVAC), and use under-the-bed storage too. You can temporarily use the attic, but you will likely need to move it for the home inspection which can be a pain. Keep in mind that temporarily living as a minimalist will help make your eventual move that much easier.
3. Religious or political signs/photos/etc. This is a touchy one, as sellers often want to think their buyer has similar ideals to them, but there is no denying it - having your personal beliefs displayed in the home runs a risk of putting off a potential buyer. It’s not about hiding who you are, but about taking prejudices out of the equation and letting the house demand the highest price possible on its own.
4. Valuables - This might seem obvious, but it is a good reminder. Even though we maintain tight control over a person who visits the house for a showing, you can’t be too careful.
There are typically more things we look at removing on a case-by-case basis, but these are some of our biggest reoccurring categories. Did I miss anything? Let me know by calling with the number below, and always feel free to reach out with any questions about real estate you might have!